– Blatter mourns respected & loved servant of the game Lota

Lusaka, February 6th, 2014, ZANIS —- FIFA president Sepp Blatter has mourned the death of former Zambia striker Dennis Lota.

Blatter who described the Moroka Swallows assistant coach as a "highly respected and much loved figure in Zambian football as well as a great servant of the game who will be sorely missed."

ZANIS reports that this is according to reports in the local media.

In a letter to FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya Blatter said: "I would like to express my sympathy on hearing of the untimely loss of the former international player and Golden Boot winner Dennis Lota."

"Dennis was a highly respected and much loved figure in Zambian football as well as a great servant of the game, and will be sorely missed.

“ Personally, and on behalf of the members of the international football community, I should be grateful if you could extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones," the FIFA chief wrote from the Russian city of Sochi where the 2014 Winter Olympic Games are getting underway.

Lota died Tuesday night in South Africa. Burial arrangements are expected to be announced soon.